Total Graphite (LSE: TGR) has formally moved its mine-to-market strategy into technical execution, commencing bench-scale test work aimed at transforming its natural graphite concentrate into substantially higher-value High Purity Graphite, Expandable Graphite and ultimately Active Anode Material for battery and advanced materials markets. Two specialist research institutes are already testing graphite from Vatomina using scalable processing techniques which, importantly, do not require hydrofluoric acid, with initial results targeted by the end of September. Successful results would pave the way for process optimisation, customer qualification and engineering studies, with Total Graphite targeting the work required for a potential Final Investment Decision on its first downstream plant by the end of 2026 or early 2027. Potential locations in Madagascar, India and the United States are being evaluated as the company seeks to capture substantially more of the graphite value chain and establish itself as a diversified non-Chinese supplier.@TotalGraphite